Gareth Wheeler

To be perfectly honest with you, I'm kind of approaching this with a little bit of unease.

I just don't think that there's very many things right now that can be considered a sure thing.

Like, look, it's exciting to recognize the individuals, the players, their families, everyone that's been involved in the process.

It's exciting for the country.

But the sheer number of injuries and question marks and lack of players who are actually match fit,

it's deeply concerning to me.

Like I, I just, I've been trying to like look back on other, other national teams that have dealt with this kind of issues, these kinds of injury issues heading into the world cup.

And I kind of stop at Canada.

So even when the 26 players are named tonight, Jesse Marsh has the ability through injury or illness to then make replacement calls up to 24 hours ahead of the first,

the ball being kicked in their first game, it wouldn't surprise me.

It's not inconceivable whatsoever that the 26 players that are named tonight, that all 26, you know, they might not all be playing for Canada in Toronto on June 12th.

I just, that's where I kind of am right now.

Like March is putting on a brave face and the reports coming out of Charlotte is, yeah, all the players are doing great, but let's see what they look like when they're on the field, when they're supposed to be match fit as sharp as can be.

heading into the biggest tournament of their lives.

It's just, I think a wait and see approach needs to be taken right now.

Well, it's Alphonso Davies.

Because typically when players who don't start a world cup fit or coming back in or are not fully fit,

those World Cups oftentimes end in disappointment for the player.

Like, just look at England because they're a well-publicized team.

Like, look at Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Gary Neville.